Mohammed made the surprising claim in an interview with Kumasi-based Ashh FM, insisting that Gyan, 30, would have eclipsed both Ronaldo and Messi if he had been given the same help during his developmental stage.

And he feels people in Ghana don’t hail their heroes as much as fans in Europe, with the result that a player’s achievements may slip under the radar.

Gyan joined Sunderland from French side Rennes in 2010, scoring 10 goals in 34 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats in a two year spell.

He then left to join UAE outfit Al Ain, initially on loan, before making the move permanent in 2012.

And while many Wearside fans will have fond memories of his 94th-minute equaliser against arch-rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light in January 2011, the claims he is one of the world’s best will come as a surprise.

“What Asamoah Gyan is doing here in Ghana is far better than that of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. But sadly we don’t respect him because he is a Ghanaian,” Aduana Stars midfielder Yaya Mohammed said.

“I shall always rate Asamoah Gyan ahead of the two because if Gyan had been an European, he would have been highly recognized than the two.

“So why don’t I respect my own and help him to spur on? We must begin to respect our own.

“Looking at their developments, Gyan did not even play an academy, but Messi has been with Barcelona since infancy and Ronaldo have been with Sporting Lisbon Academy in Portugal before joining the senior side and subsequently to Manchester United.”

“So if Gyan had even played an academy and gotten the opportunities they have, Gyan would have been devastating by now.”

Gyan currently captain the Ghana national side, for whom he has scored 43 times in 98 appearances, playing he club football in China, where he is believed to be one of the world’s best paid players.